Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | Hartman, GF, Tripp, DB and Brown, TG. 1998. Overwintering habitats and survival of juvenile salmonids in coastal streams of British Columbia. In: Hogan, D.L., P.J. Tschaplinski, and S. Chatwin (Editors). B.C. Min. For., Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Land Manage. Handb. No. 41. |
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| Organization | FLNRO |
| URL | https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/Lmh/Lmh41.htm |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | Foresters and biologists involved in harvest planning and logging operations make decisions that affect the survival and production of salmon and trout. Their decisions may, among other things, govern the quality and availability of winter habitat for juvenile fish. Because of low water temperatures and extreme conditions of streamflow during winter, fish are vulnerable if winter habitat is lost or degraded. Winter is a critical period for juvenile salmonids. Therefore, it is important for land use managers to understand some of the behaviour and habitat needs of young fish during the winter period. This paper reviews the different life history strategies observed in young salmonids in Carnation Creek, and compares them to the life history patterns of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the Clearwater River, Washington. It briefly reviews the seasonal changes in the behaviour of young coho salmon and steelhead trout (O. mykiss) and indicates some of the features of behaviour that help these two species survive winter conditions. We review information, particularly from Carnation Creek, on habitat use and timing of seasonal redistribution from one type of habitat to another. This paper compares overwinter survival of juvenile coho salmon, before and after logging, in the off-channel habitat of Carnation Creek. It also provides estimates of overwinter survival in the main channel after logging. Information on survival of coho salmon and steelhead trout in logged and unlogged streams in Queen Charlotte Islands permits limited comparison of the two areas. Therefore, we compare conditions in streams on the Queen Charlotte Islands to those in Carnation Creek in an attempt to determine why responses to logging were different in some respects. We also comment on egg-to-fry survival of chum salmon (O. keta). The spawning and incubation periods are the only times during which chum salmon depend upon freshwater habitats. Chum salmon fry emigrate seaward soon after they emerge from the streambed in spring. Because the life history of chum salmon is very different than that of coho salmon and trout, comparisons cannot be made between chum fry and the juvenile stages of the other stream-dwelling salmonids. However chum salmon must be discussed because they responded dramatically to logging as well as to changes in ocean conditions. Future logging practices must carefully consider potential impacts on chum salmon. |
| Information Type | Article |
| Regional Watershed | Coast Region |
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| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
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